Netanyahu criticises Macron over attacks against Jewish sites in Paris

The Israeli PM's reaction came after several locations were sprayed with green paint early on Saturday in the French capital's 20th arrondissement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once more criticised his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, saying he must do more to clamp down on antisemitism in France, following vandalism attacks against the Jewish sites in Paris over the weekend. Three synagogues, a Jewish restaurant and a Holocaust memorial were sprayed with green paint early on Saturday in the city’s historic Marais district and 20th arrondissement. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed his “immense disgust” at the vandalism. At the same time, Paris Socialist Party Mayor Anne Hidalgo condemned “these intimidations in the strongest possible terms”, saying that ”anti-semitism has no place in our city and in our republic”. Authorities in Paris immediately launched an investigation into the incidents. This is not the first time in recent years that Jewish sites have been targeted in apparent antisemitic attacks, with authorities stating that there was reason to believe Russian intelligence services were involved in an apparent attempt to stir tensions in the French society.In May 2024, red hands were painted at the Parisian memorial for those who saved people from the city's Jewish community from Nazi persecution during the 1940-1944 occupation of France.Authorities soon identified that Bulgarian nationals were behind the tags.In October 2023, dozens of Stars of David were graffitied on walls in Paris and its outskirts. In that case, two Moldovan nationals were apprehended, according to domestic press. French security services said a Moldovan-Russian businessman was identified as their potential handler.“The attacks on synagogues and a Holocaust memorial in Paris are a direct result of the rampant incitement against Jews in France,” Netanyahu wrote on X on Sunday.The Israeli leader added that Macron should stop pushing for a Palestinian state and “start acting against antisemitism in his own country”.His words come as part of broader Israeli criticism of the French president, who suggested in April that France could recognise Palestine as an independent state this year. Israeli condemnation of Macron has grown since he, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney threatened last month to sanction Israeli over its renewed offensive in Gaza. The three leaders expressed concern for the “intolerable” humanitarian situation in the strip, where the entire population is at critical risk of famine. Last week, Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Macron of being on a “crusade against the Jewish state” for saying the international community should harden its position against Israel unless it did more to improve the aid situation in Gaza.